Don't throw an eyepatch on and say you're a pirate. If you want to be a pirate, you should reflect it in all of your accessories, not go about it half-assed. Coincidentally, this fantastic belt buckle will prevent you from walking around with half of your ass hanging out of your pants. (You really can't be effective at intimidation when you've got an eyefull of plumber's crack peeking out your stern.)

It is no idle claim when we say that this is the coolest belt buckle we've ever seen. There's a reason why half of the Strongblade staff bought this piece as soon as it arrived. It's truly a work of piratical art. Made in England using the finest of English pewters, this belt buckle is crafted to the highest possible quality level. The intricate lacing of metal behind the brooding, angry skull is astonishingly detailed. The two crossed swords aren't just token blades they are carved in every detail and wickedly gnarled and curved. The hilts on the pewter swords are fully realized, with cord wraps and intricate pommels. Did we mention how freakin cool this thing is?

The buckle has a metal bracket that will accept most snapping belts and a pewter peg to lock into the holes. This is absolutely a must have addition to any pirate costume, or just for those who have a cutthroat's heart.

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The Skull and Crossbones
Sure, it's come to symbolize piracy in all of its form, but the skull and crossbones had a very specific (and terrifying) meaning back in the Golden Age of Piracy.

Back then, the skull and crossbones meant that the crew had eaten their last chicken and that all they had left were bones. So they flew the skull and crossbones to ask other ships if they could spare a couple of chickens. Okay, that's not really what it meant, but my 3-year-old twins were asking me what I was writing and I couldn't very well tell them the truth, now could I?

The truth is, the skull and crossbones was the symbol for "No Quarter." If a pirate ship flew this flag when it was approaching an enemy ship, it meant that the crew of that ship should expect no mercy -- every last man would be killed. This of course was a brash move, and only the most confident (or foolish) of captains would fly it. Why? Because it meant that every man on the opposing ship would fight rabidly, knowing that failure meant certain death. It also meant that if one of the shipmates had a brother or cousin on that ship, they'd have to kill him, which would wreak havoc with his family and bring down years of guilt from his mother. (Editor's note: That's not true.) (Writer's note: Okay, you're right, it would bring down decades of guilt, not years).(Editor's note: Please stop. The reader's are getting tired of this.) (Writer's Note: Well, you started it.) (Editor's note: You're the one telling outright lies.) (Writer's note: they're not outright lies. I mean, if the captain said no quarter, it means no quarter, right? Even if it's your brother, right?)(Editor's note: I'm sure they could make an exception if ... oh what am I talking about. Knock it off).

Ahem ... There were a few captains who took variations of the skull and crossbones as their personal flags. Jack Rackham (better known as Calico Jack) had the skull and crossed swords. Edward England had the typical skull and crossbones, and Stede Bonnet bore a flag with a skull, one bone beneath it, a dagger to the left and a heart to the right. Christopher Condent used three small skull and crossbones in a row, and Henry Avery used the skull and crossbones with the skull facing to the side and wearing a headscarf and earring.

When Strongblade refers to a "Battle Sword," we are referring to most European medieval swords with blades longer than 35” or so. These type of swords included hand-and-a-half swords (sometimes refered to as Bastard Swords) and the big two-handed swords. Real battle swords had blades well in excess of this, and, in fact, a 35" sword was considered a bit skimpy for fighting skirmishes. But for home use and light sparring, a 36" blade is fairly long.